The program will help teachers explore alternative teaching methods
The U.S Embassy, in partnership with Belo Horizonte’s City Hall, will carry out an online training program for 30 teachers from the municipal public school system. The initiative, called English Language Specialist, will start online activities on September 2nd and will last for eight weeks.
The program will be carried out through the Regional English Language Office (RELO) and the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte, together with the Municipal International Relations Office and the Municipal Education Secretariat. U.S. English expert Cara Hoppe will be the moderator and mentor of the program and will help teachers incorporate teaching practices that use project-based learning and explore alternative teaching methods. In addition to the online workshops, the American expert will moderate interactive discussion forums with the participating teachers.
According to the head of the Regional English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, Jennifer Uhler, project-based learning is the best approach to teaching English as a second language. “This methodology helps students to develop their autonomy and address real-life issues, in addition to engaging more the student in class and improving the teacher-student relationship.”
The U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte has been carrying out activities aimed at teaching English in Minas Gerais for years. According to the director of International Relations of Belo Horizonte’s City Hall, Hugo Salomão, this cooperation – which takes place within the Talking with the World” (Falando com o Mundo) municipal program to teach foreign languages, such as English, to students in the municipal network – contributes to the qualification of essential skills and competencies in a modern globalized society, fundamental to the city’s development and internationalization processes.
About the Regional English Language Office
The Regional English Language Office (RELO) strengthens the U.S. – Brazil strategic partnership, strengthening the capacity building through teaching and learning English throughout Brazil. Located at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, RELO Brazil supports the efforts of the U.S. public diplomacy to increase mutual understanding (through English) between the people of Brazil and the United States. RELO maintains contact with the Ministry of Education, State and Municipal Secretaries of Public Education, Associations of English Teachers, Public and Private Universities and other partners to offer professional development, educational exchange programs and materials for English teachers and students.
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For more information contact: Ana Lúcia Santos, Public Relations Coordinator – santosalg@state.gov
